EXCLUSIVE: Arsenal target assist machine Alex Baena

FootballTransfers understands that Arsenal scouts were in Copenhagen on Friday to watch Villarreal winger Alex Baena in action for Spain against Denmark.

The 23-year-old Spanish international is a left-winger who predominantly operates with his right foot – a profile that perfectly fits Arsenal’s current needs.

Baena lined up in the same side as Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino, a pairing the Gunners were keen to observe. The prospect of this partnership caught their attention, prompting them to fly out and watch Baena in action to see how the duo performed together.

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Unfortunately, Baena had to leave the pitch prematurely as an ankle problem forced him to come off in the 62nd minute en route to a 2-1 victory for Spain.

Thankfully for him and Villarreal, subsequent scans revealed no serious damage, though he was not involved against Switzerland on Monday.

Even before the match against Denmark, Arsenal’s recruitment department will have been intimately familiar with Baena’s game as he finished the previous campaign top of the assist charts across Europe’s top-five leagues.

Baena set up 14 goals in LaLiga last term and 18 across all competitions, while also chipping in with five goals. This season, his tally stands at five assists and one goal in 12 outings for Villarreal.

Arsenal eye Baena

If a move to Arsenal were to materialise, it’s believed the 23-year-old could slot into a similar dynamic with Arsenal’s Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka, mirroring the latter’s inverted role on the right flank.

Sources have suggested that Baena, if the Gunners were to firm up their interest, could be a more straightforward signing compared to other targets like Nico Williams.

While Mikel Arteta remains a big admirer of Williams and could still push for the club to activate his €58 million release clause, it would first and foremost depend on the 22-year-old providing a stronger indication that he’s ready to leave Athletic Club.

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Baena, meanwhile, would be slightly more expensive in terms of his transfer fee as his release clause stands at €60m. However, he is believed to be on a significantly lower wage than his La Roja teammate, which was one of the main concerns Williams’ suitors had in the summer.

The Villarreal star could be a solution to Arsenal’s struggles on the left wing amid Gabriel Martinelli’s hit-and-miss form. Baena is not yet the finished product, but he is already one of LaLiga’s best-performing players and Arteta is well aware of what he could offer his side.